The rooftop terrace has grown quieter as the evening moves deeper into the night.
Some guests have left.
Others linger in small circles near the bar, their conversations softer now, slower.
Lina stands near one of the tall cocktail tables with Chloe, pretending to listen to a story about someone's disastrous presentation from last year.
But her attention isn't fully there.
Across the terrace, Victor and Elena are speaking with several investors.
Victor's posture is relaxed, but Lina can feel it every now and then his gaze drifts across the room.
And when it does, it almost always lands on her.
Chloe finally notices.
"Oh wow."
Lina sighs.
"Please don't start."
"He keeps looking over here."
"He's hosting the event."
"Not like that."
Lina takes a sip of champagne.
Chloe leans closer.
"Okay serious question."
"What?"
"Is he the one?"
Lina freezes for half a second.
"The one what?"
"The mysterious past guy you refuse to talk about."
Lina opens her mouth to respond…
But Daniel appears beside them.
"Am I interrupting something important?"
Chloe grins.
"Just gossip."
Daniel smiles politely.
"Well then I definitely interrupted."
Lina notices something different in his expression tonight.
Still calm.
But more focused.
More curious.
Chloe checks her phone suddenly.
"Oh …..excuse me, I promised someone I'd help with photos."
She gives Lina a quick look.
One that clearly says good luck.
Then she disappears into the crowd.
Leaving Lina and Daniel alone.
Daniel watches her for a moment.
Then he turns back to Lina.
"Can I ask you something?"
"That depends."
"On?"
"How complicated the question is."
Daniel chuckles softly.
"Fair."
He rests one hand casually against the edge of the table.
"Victor Hale."
Lina's stomach tightens slightly.
"What about him?"
Daniel studies her face carefully.
"You two know each other."
It isn't a question.
Lina looks down briefly at the glass in her hand.
"Yes."
Daniel nods slowly.
"I thought so."
He isn't angry.
Just curious.
"How long?" he asks.
"A while."
Daniel exhales quietly.
"That explains the meeting earlier."
"What do you mean?"
"The way he looked at you."
Lina doesn't answer.
Daniel continues gently.
"You don't have to tell me everything."
"But?"
"But I'd like to understand what I walked into tonight."
His honesty disarms her.
For a moment Lina considers how to answer.
"Victor and I… used to be involved."
Daniel processes that calmly.
"Past tense."
"Yes."
"And now?"
"Now we work on the same project."
Daniel watches her for a moment longer.
"Is it finished between you?"
The question hangs quietly between them.
Lina hesitates.
Before she can answer
A familiar voice enters the space beside them.
"It depends on your definition of finished."
Both of them turn.
Victor stands there.
Close enough now that the quiet authority he carries feels impossible to ignore.
His expression is calm.
But his eyes move briefly from Lina to Daniel.
And something in them sharpens.
Daniel straightens slightly.
"Mr. Hale."
Victor nods once.
"Daniel."
The formality feels deliberate.
Victor's attention returns to Lina.
"Elena was asking for you."
Lina blinks.
"For me?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
Victor's mouth curves faintly.
"You made an impression."
Daniel notices the subtle tension immediately.
Victor's tone is polite.
But something beneath it feels… territorial.
Daniel folds his arms loosely.
"I was actually in the middle of asking Lina something."
Victor looks at him.
"Were you?"
"Yes."
Victor's gaze flickers briefly between them.
Then he says calmly,
"I'm sure it can wait."
Daniel holds his ground.
"Maybe."
For a moment the air between them tightens.
Not aggressive.
But competitive.
Victor finally looks back at Lina.
"You don't have to come if you'd rather stay here."
The statement sounds neutral.
But Lina hears the underlying meaning.
The choice is hers.
Daniel notices that too.
He watches her carefully.
Lina exhales softly.
"I'll come find Elena."
Victor nods once.
"Of course."
As Victor turns slightly to walk away, Lina glances briefly at Daniel.
"Sorry."
Daniel shakes his head.
"It's fine."
But his eyes follow Victor as he leads Lina toward the other side of the terrace.
And something about the man's presence still bothers him.
Not anger.
Not jealousy exactly.
Just instinct.
Because Daniel Carter is very good at reading people.
And Victor Hale
doesn't act like a man who is completely finished with Lina Moreno.